Kilimanjaro

7 Day Machame Route

Level

Duration

(option of 10 days total/ 8 day climb is also available. Please contact our office for details.

Route

Machame Route

Time to travel

All around the year except rainy months (March – June and November) . January to mid March and June to September are considered best months to climb Kilimanjaro.

ThemissionarieswhointheirdispatchestoLondonfirstrecordedseeingasnowcappedmountainjust south of the equator, were assumed to be hallucinating by the European geographers of that time.They weren’t,andtheincrediblybeautifulimage ofthesnowcapped mountainrisinghighaboveAfrican plainsfullwithwildlife,hasbeenattractingclimbers,natureloversandadventurersfromalloverthe world.

ClimbingKilimanjaromeansthatyouchangetoadifferentclimatezonealmostdaily,withfivedistinct ecological zones; the lower slopes, forest, moorland, highland desert, and the summit! We start in a dense forest, with most often muddy forest floors, which is Kilimanjaro’s most fertile zone. Then vegetationbecomesshorterandwepassbygiantGroundselsandLobeliasandhavethegreatbluesky shiningaboveus.Above 4,000meters,wewillbeclimbinginthedessert where seasons meet in one day: summerbydayandwinterbynight.Finallyandabove5,000meterswewillfacesemi–arctic conditions;subzerotemperaturesatnightand blisteringsunduringtheday.

Rahhalah will ensure that we do everything to increase the chance of realizing your dream. We are preparedto leadyouto theTopofAfrica.Ourclimbingarrangementswillenableyouto bettercope with thechallengesofthemountain.

Our operation up on the mountain

Rahhalahgroundhandlersandlocalguidesarethebest onthemountainwith morethan 300summitsunder theirbelt. A great and flexible approach to climbing Kilimanjaro resulted in one of the bestsuccessratesonthe mountain:98%!

Our adventure consultants, guides and assistant guides have a Wilderness First Responder Rescue certification and cardio pulmonary resuscitation certification, as well as National Outdoor Leadership School(NOLS)trainingmakingthem oneofthestrongestand mostcapable teams on themountain.

Wecarryan oxygentank and firstaidkit all thewayupthemountain, so thereisneveracompromiseon anysafetyprotocol.

Sustainability

Werunalowimpactoperationwithastrictcodeofconductonthetreatmentofourporters. Westick toportersweightlimitssetbyKilimanjaroNationalParkregulations,allourstaffaretrainedinfirstaidresponse so they promptly respond in case of emergency, and we ensure that all our porters are adequately equipped with proper footwear, warm clothing and sleeping gear. Our porters are properly employed and not picked up as cheap labor at the gates that have no proper gear or training.

We leave no traces behind and we contribute to the efforts of protection of the environment on the mountain.

As you all know 1% of our revenue go back to a local cause and Rahhalah directly takes care of that. This is our pay back promise.

Our route

Machame route

Known for its stunning scenery, Machame Route is one of the most popular routes up Kilimanjaro. Slightly more strenuous than the famous Marangu Route, Machame offers an exciting challenge with extraordinary views.

Everything provided by the trip operator in Kili was up to the standards, they were an exceptional team, great motivators and supporters, provided excellent service, and have exceeded our expectations.

I am so grateful to each and every one of them, James and Yassin were of great support during the whole journey, what they have provided was not expected from them; they have ensured that all members were happy and comfortable, in great condition, and were able to complete the whole thing despite the challenges we all faced.

Each member on the trip had his own ups and downs, but they have truly managed to make us all complete this life changing journey.

I am really considering going back to Kili one day with Rahhalah. The mountain, the obstacles, the altitude sickness, the pain, and mental struggles, the whole experience that I brought back with me was worth every small step taken pole pole.

I have learned to trust myself, my capabilities, my body, and my mind and that was worth the ride!

To Rahhalah Team:

Thank you for the journey that has touched my heart and soul!

I will be on the move to explore other mountains soon!

-Manal Al Mattar-Kili climb 24th Feb 2017

I really enjoyed the trip and Rahhalah were up to their promise. I would definitely do more adventures with them.– Alia Al Amri- Kili 23rd Feb 2013

The trip was truly amazing and well organized. Need to figure out the “when” and “where” for my next trip. The “how” has been settled, definitely with Rahhalah.– Hazem Rasbeih -Kili climb 23rd Feb 2013

ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival and transfer to the hotel (D)

When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your guide will drive you to Arusha where you will join a team briefing on the climb and an individual gear check.

Arusha is surrounded by some of Africa’s most famous landscapes and national parks. It is close to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro, and it has its own National Park on Mount Meru.

Day 02: Machame Gate (1,790m) – Machame Camp (2,980m) (B, L, D)

Distance: 10 km/ Altitude gain: +1,190m/ Time: 6 hours

Today, after breakfast, you will be driven from Arusha to Machame Gate where you sign in and get a permit to start climbing. We will join the climbing crew here and your guide will tell you exactly what to expect each day: weather-wise, the nature of the trail and the wildlife.

Machame Camp

Machame camp is surrounded by small trees overgrown with lichen. Our porters will set up the tents and prepare hot drinks for us. It’s pretty cold when the sun sets, we will need to dress warmly and use our headlamps.

Day 03: Machame Camp (2,980m) – Shira (3,720m) (B, L, D)

Distance: 7km/ Altitude gain: + 740m/ Time: 4 hours

Today is an easy paced acclimatization day, we will continue hiking through streams, a river gorge and moorlands. Camp is set a little higher today on the Shira Plateau with a fantastic view of Kilimanjaro. You can opt for a hike in the afternoon and enjoy the large tenacious sand lobelias that grow around here.

Shira Camp

Shira camp is a beautiful spot, it has a great view of the Kibo Peak and has vast prairies and bushes. At night, the sky is covered with thousands of stars and you can admire the famous Southern Cross and hear the distant cries of jackals.

Today is another acclimatization day, we will hike to an elevation of 4570 meters before descending to camp. This area will be your first introduction to alpine zone where the only plant life is the heartiest of grass and lichens. We will slowly ascend through the moorlands to alpine desert zone.

Barranco Camp

Barranco Camp is located in a beautiful valley with stunning views of Mount Meru, the twin volcano of Mount Kilimanjaro. We can also enjoy stunning views of the Heim glacier views, the southern slope of Kibo, and the impressive Barranco Wall.

Day 05: Barranco (3,950m) - Karanga (3,995m) (B, L, D)

We continue our steep climb and enjoy the wonderful views of the area. The landscape is so beautiful; it really does make this an enjoyable trek. Once at the top, Heim glacier is overhanging and we will stop for a quick break. Then descend to Karanga valley. The bottom of the valley where water runs will be our last source of water until Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s top. After our final feat of climbing a steep rocky wall we reach Camp Karanga in the clouds.

Day 06: Karanga (3,995m) – Barafu (4,605m) (B, L, D)

Distance: 5km/ Altitude gain: +655 m/ Time: 4 hours

Today we will climb a steep rock wall to see the breathtaking Heim Glacier. We will hike through rolling hills at a slow pace while drinking plenty of water, tea and small snacks. When we reach Barafu Camp, we’ll enjoy an early dinner cooked by an onsite chef and rest well.

Today is the big day! At midnight, we will start our ascent to Uhuru Peak hiking for six to eight hours from the camp. This part of the journey is life changing, especially when you stand on the top of the highest free standing mountain in the world. The weather will determine how much time we can spend on the top but we’ll make sure to take photos to celebrate the moment! From the summit, we will have a three hours hike with a short stop for lunch around Barafu camp. Later, we will celebrate our victory as well as our last night on Kilimanjaro at Mweka Camp.

Day 08: Mweka Camp (3,068m) – Mweka Gate (1,650m) - Arusha (B, L, D)

Distance: 16km/ Altitude loss: -1,418m/ Time: 4 hours

Today is the last hike, it is steep in places and may be slippery if it is a wet day so we will use trekking poles. At Mweka Gate, we will bid farewell to our mountain crew and enjoy a picnic lunch. We will drive to Arusha for a hot shower and dinner.

Day 09: Departure (B)

For those of you who will return home, we will drive you to the airport and bid farewell until our next adventure. For those who would like to see more of Tanzania, we can explore some of the most amazing national parks or relax on the spice island of Zanzibar.

2950 USD

per person in a group of min 6. Double occupancy

Trip Dates

23 February 2018
22 June 2018

NOTES

This cost is based on Double Occupancy. Single Supplement Applies.

Full payment should be made 30 days prior the departure.

All services stipulated above are subject to availability at the time of booking / reservation. All prices are subject to change

Important:The itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, road condition and operating conditions. In any case the guide has the RIGHT to change the program for the safety and convenience of the travelers.